Once again another company has fallen victim to the “no antibiotics ever” marketing ploy. Just like you, me, our families, and our pets, food animals get sick. When they do, a diagnosis of illness is made and that animal receives quick medical attention, and probably an antibiotic. Cattle, poultry, pork (insert other animal protein sources here) farmers and ranchers closely follow antibiotic withdrawal dates, meaning there are NO antibiotics in your meat, milk, or eggs! Trust me, these products are regularly tested for residues. Once the animal has made a full recovery it’s protein is completely safe and wholesome to enter the food supply. Can you imagine a “no antibiotic ever” world where animal health declines and animals suffer (and die) from their illness because end markets like Subway won’t accept the meat if the animal has been treated for illness? As a 4th generation agriculturalist, I will not let any animal suffer or die under my watch just so a food company, such as Subway can make a few people who think this is a good idea happy.
I am reblogging a post that Anne Burkholder just put out. Anne is a feedlot owner and cattle farmer, who raises and cares for a thousands of animals every year.
Other posts discussing this issue can be found at:
Ranchers share antibiotics use following Subway announcement – Agriculture Proud
Subway Removing Antibiotics… And Facebook Comments – Agriculture Proud
Ruffled Feathers Over Subway – My Other More Exciting Self
The Loudest Voices aren’t always right. Did Subway make the right call? – Mackinson Dairy
Top 5 Things Subway Customers Need to Know – Minnesota Farm Living
Subway – Eat Fresh, Stay Politically Correct – Confessions of a Farm Wife
Women in Ag: Subway goes “antibiotic-free,” what’s a farmer to do? – Agriculture.com
Dear Subway – I really Wish You Would’ve Talked to a Farmer – Faith, Farming & Cowboy Boots
With Subway gone, agriculture’s Guide to Good Eatin’ gets shorter – Dairy Herd Management
The Subway Saga: My thoughts on Marketing and Farmer Rivalry – In Udder News
Posts that have come out AFTER Subway changed their policy —
Following up on Subway – Feedyard Foodie
An Update on Subway – My Other More Exciting Self
Subway’s decision to give in to food-fear marketing – Nebraska Corn Kernels
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Dr. Lindsay can also be found on:
– Website (http://food.unl.edu/ag-and-food)
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– Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/agwithdrlindsay)
– Pinterest (Lindsay Chichester-Medahunsi)
Tuesday, Subway restaurants made the announcement that beginning in March 2016 it will serve chicken raised without antibiotics. Further, the company will source turkey, pork and beef in the same manner within a 10 year period. A spokesman for Subway stated that company’s goal is “eliminating antibiotics from all of its meat supplies within 10 years”.
There are two different things going on in the above statement that are being blended into a mass of dramatic confusion. I want to take a moment to clarify so that everyone can be educated food purchasers.
- Eliminating antibiotics from meat has already been accomplished. THERE ARE NO ANTIBIOTICS IN THE MEAT THAT YOU EAT! It is illegal in the United States to market food animals that carry antibiotic residues. This is a non-negotiable fact of food production. The meat that you purchase from Subway today is free of antibiotics. That is the law…
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Agricultural with Dr. Lindsay 